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If you’re in Venice during carnival time, then try to see the Flight of the Angel! This tradition started in the mid-16th century when a Turkish acrobat walked along a tightrope from a boat to the top of the Campanile, stopping on his way down to pay homage to the Doge in his palace. The even varied in form and style over the next few years, until the performers began to dress as angels, giving the event its current name. The event was changed in 1759 after an acrobat fell to his death to be the flight of the dove, and a fake dove was lowered from the bell tower until 2001. From 2001 the event has gone back to using people, at first professionals, then celebrities from different fields (including, bizarrely, Coolio). Today the role of the angel is played by the young woman who was declared Maria of the previous year’s carnival.